Category Archives: Press Release

ATX TELEVISION FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FIRST PANELS AND PROGRAMMING FOR SEASON EIGHT, TAKING PLACE JUNE 6-9, 2019, IN AUSTIN, TX

Panels Include A Conversation with the Presidents of the Guilds,The House That Horror Built: Inside Blumhouse Television,Inside the “Vida” Writers Room, A “Men In Trees” Retrospective,And a Discussion about Sex Scenes and On-Set Safety Moderated by Glen Mazzara

ATX Television Festival announces the first panels and programming for year eight of the festival, which will take place June 6-9, 2019, in Austin, Texas.

ATX will host a “Presidents of the Guilds” panel, featuring a discussion with Gabrielle Carteris, president, SAG-AFTRA; David A. Goodman, president, WGAW; and Thomas Schlamme, president, DGA. For the first time on a single stage, the leaders of some of the most prominent entertainment unions and guilds will take part in a discussion about what goes in to shaping the forward-movement of the industry, the state of television, the ongoing push for equal pay, equal opportunity, and safety standards across all of entertainment, and the importance of fostering a creative culture.

Blumhouse Television co-presidents Marci Wiseman and Jeremy Gold will also join the festival for a panel conversation titled, “The House that Horror Built: Inside Blumhouse Television,” a unique case study of the company’s journey from go-to producer of low-budget horror hits, to a multi-genre, consumer-facing studio with a growing presence in TV. Additional panelists will be announced at a later date.

ATX will continue its “Inside the Writers Room” series with Starz’s critically-acclaimed show “Vida,” featuring creator/showrunner Tanya Saracho, along with the series’ all-Latinx writers, for a conversation about how they approach storytelling. “Vida,” which was “Certified Fresh” by Rotten Tomatoes with a perfect score of 100%, and the Audience Award winner at the 2018 SXSW Film Festival, will return for a second season next year.

Cancelled-Too-Soon dramedy “Men In Trees” will host a retrospective with creator/showrunner Jenny Bicks, writer/co-EP Anna Fricke, writer/producer Chris Dingess, producer Antonia Ellis, and cast members James Tupper, Emily Bergl, Suleka Mathew, Cynthia Stevenson, and Lauren Tom. Additional panelists will be announced at a later date.

The festival will also include “Let’s Talk about Sex (Scenes),” an honest discussion about empowering both writers and actors, and improving safe “sex” practices behind the camera.

The panel will be moderated by ATX Advisory Board member Glen Mazzara (“Damien,” “The Shield”), with creator/showrunner Tanya Saracho (“Vida”), and actor Nicki Micheaux (“Animal Kingdom”) confirmed to participate. Additional panelists will be announced at a later date.

About ATX Television Festival ATX’s focus is the celebration of the television medium – looking back at its history, where it is now, and where it is headed. Our weekend consists of events in which attendees can interact with actors, writers, directors, creators, showrunners, music supervisors, casting directors and studio executives involved in all stages of bringing their favorite shows to the small screen. We have all the functionality of a traditional film festival – spotlighting classic shows, never-aired pilots, cancelled too soon series, cult favorites, current hits and premieres of new series. In addition, we feature episode screenings with Q&A’s with the cast and creators, panels focused on industry related topics, and parties, live music, meet-ups, social media events and “super-secret happy hours.” ATX’s goal is to serve both the community and industry professionals equally, by giving them the opportunity to discuss and celebrate all aspects of TV.

ATX recently launched the original podcast The TV Campfire, as part of its commitment to year- round programming, which features one-on-one conversations with some of TV’s top creatives, and panel conversations recorded live at the festival. All episodes can be found on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and atvxp.com/podcasts.

The ATX Television Festival is Launching The Syndication Project Foundation and Programming Track For Year Seven of the Festival, Focusing on Advocacy Through Storytelling

The ATX Television Festival announced The Syndication Project Foundation and Programming Track for this year’s festival, which returns for a seventh year June 7-10 in Austin, TX, which highlights advocacy through storytelling.

“As the festival has grown, so has our passion and belief that great storytelling has the ability to make an impact on television audiences throughout the world. With that in mind, we are launching The Syndication Project, a foundation that focuses on advocacy through storytelling, with a programming track at this summer’s festival,” said Caitlin McFarland and Emily Gipson, co-founders and executive directors, ATX Television Festival. “We believe through combining a story, an issue, and a cause, we can start an honest dialogue and a call to action for audiences and the TV industry alike. These panels focus on areas where we feel TV can help effect real change, and many are in partnership with organizations that are committed to making a difference in the world, such as the Television Academy Honors, Hollywood Health & Society, Student Veterans of America, and the ACLU. We’re thrilled to present a panel with The Hollywood Reporter for the first time this year as well, discussing why TV matters.”

Why Does TV Matter?, Presented with the Hollywood ReporterModerated by: Lesley Goldberg, West Coast TV Editor
We often ask ourselves, would “Friends” or “Seinfeld” be made in 2018, as stories that followed 4-6 white, heterosexual characters. Every year executives strive to expand representation behind and in front of the camera to include a wider range of races, religions, sexual orientations, and cultures. These key decision makers discuss why such changes are essential, what strides their companies are making to be more inclusive of all types of people, and how (if at all) they believe this evolving television landscape is impacting society.

Breaking Down the BinaryHosted by: Cameron Esposito
For LGBTQIA viewers, TV has long been a medium of binaries — gay or straight; male or female; cisgender or transgender — but the past few years have seen a swell of characters who aren’t so easily defined. From teen soaps to cable dramedies, the spectrum of visibility has grown to include bisexual+ and non-binary characters who are more in tune with the viewers they represent, and less the product of tropes and stereotypes. Hear from the creators & creatives behind these series as they discuss what this visibility means for LGBTQIA audiences, and why breaking down the binary is an essential part of moving representation forward.

On Duty, Presented with Student Veterans of AmericaModerated by: Jared Lyon, President of SVA
This past and current season of TV has seen multiple series capture what life is like while serving in the military. The creators/showrunners of these series work closely with military consultants, including hiring veterans on their crews and writing staffs, to ensure accuracy. These writers and consultants discuss their working partnerships, their objectives in trying to portray active military life and military culture, and the challenges they face when recreating service and reintegration storylines for mainstream audiences.

Her Body, Her Choice: TVs Abortion Dilemma, Presented with Hollywood, Health & SocietyModerated by: Kate Langrall Folb, Program Director, Hollywood, Health & Society
In the 45 years since Norman Lear faced off with standards & practices over Maude’s “dilemma” (a first for the small screen), creatives have been fighting to de-stigmatize the female body, and by extension, the right to choose by including birth control and abortion in more than just a “special episode.” Primetime and cable have seen major characters faced with decisions about sex and pregnancy, unplanned motherhood, and even onscreen abortions. While the topic remains a cultural, social and political pressure point, women are slowly seeing their experiences reflected back with urgency and empathy. Join creatives behind these stories as they discuss the challenges of tackling women’s reproductive health onscreen, the challenges and successes they experience, and why realistic depictions of choice and the aftermath are still so hard to come by.

Stories Without Walls, Presented by the ACLUModerated by: Lorella Praeli, ACLU Immigration Advocacy Leader
In recent months, immigration storylines have become central plots for a number of TV shows. These writers and producers, along with a representative from the ACLU, discuss the importance and power of story, how they work together to ensure authentic representations of current issues, the impact it has on viewer’s opinions on DACA, refugees, and deportation, as well as the actions they hope audiences are inspired to take by these characters and storylines.

Power(ful) TV, Presented with the Television Academy HonorsModerated by: Lindsay Scola, Sr. Director, Talent and Public Relations, Television Academy
As society has changed, so has the role of storytelling on TV. In the current political climate, what is the obligation of series creators and writers to showcase divisive social issues, diverse cultures and ethnicities, and varying opinions on an array of “hot topics?” These creators have already excelled at including storylines that have expanded awareness of these issues, and will discuss what they feel the responsibility of TV is, in not only entertaining, but pushing the norm, challenging beliefs, and ultimately moving the social needle by presenting audiences with different points of view.

ATX TELEVISION FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL PANELS AND PROGRAMMINGLEADING INTO SEASON 7, TAKING PLACE JUNE 7-10, 2018, IN AUSTIN, TX

Panelists Added for the Opening Night Screening of HBO’s “Sharp Objects,”Including Amy Adams, Jean-Marc Vallée, Marti Noxon, and Gillian Flynn,Panel and Sneak Peek of Season Five of TV Land’s “Younger” with the Creator and Cast,Premiere Episode Screening of ABC’s “Station 19” with the Creator and Cast,A Panel with Nat Geo’s Emmy-Nominated Series “Genius,”And Panelists Added for AT&amp;T AUDIENCE Network’s Series “Condor”

ATX Television Festival today announced new additions to its Season 7 panel and programming slate, taking place June 7-10, 2018, in Austin, Texas.

TV Land’s hit comedy “Younger” will return to the festival for a fourth year, with an exclusive sneak peek of the second episode of season five, which premieres on June 5th, followed by a Q&A with creator and executive producer Darren Star, and cast members Sutton Foster, Debi Mazar, Miriam Shor, Nico Tortorella, Peter Hermann, Molly Bernard, and Charles Michael Davis. ABC and Shondaland’s new “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff, “Station 19,” will host a screening of its premiere episode and Q&amp;A panel with cast members Jaina Lee Ortiz and Jason George; creator and executive producer Stacy McKee (“Grey’s Anatomy”); and casting director Linda Lowy, who will discuss the first season of the series, currently airing on ABC Thursdays at 9/8c.

Season two of National Geographic’s Emmy-nominated series “Genius,” based on the life and art of Pablo Picasso, will host a panel with the creative team behind the new season, including Ken Biller, director/showrunner/EP; Davina LaMont, hair and make-up designer; Sonu Mishra, costume designer; Mathias Herndl, cinematographer and director; and Arv Greywal, production designer. The group will discuss the artistic undertaking and creative collaboration behind the new season, which premieres April 24th on Nat Geo.

In addition, cast members Leem Lubany, Katherine Cunningham, Kristen Hager, and Kristoffer Polaha, along with director/executive producer Lawrence Trilling, will join the previously announced panel for AT&T AUDIENCE Network’s series “Condor,” based on the novel “Six Days of the Condor” by James Grady, and screenplay “Three Days of the Condor” by Lorenzo Semple Jr. and David Rayfiel.

For the latest developments and information on how to attend, visit the ATX Television Festival official site www.atxfestival.com and follow us on Facebook & Twitter.

For co-promotion, please link to @ATXFestival #ATXTVs7 on Twitter.

These panels join the previously announced Opening Night screening of HBO&#39;s upcoming limited series “Sharp Objects;” 20th anniversary “Felicity” reunion with cast members Keri Russell, Scott Speedman, Tangi Miller, Amanda Foreman, Amy Jo Johnson, and Ian Gomez and director/producer Lawrence Trilling; a conversation with Robert and Michelle King; a “Storytelling with Tenacity” panel presented by Showtime with Frankie Shaw, Sarah Treem, and Emmy Rossum; a conversation with Blown Deadline producing partners David Simon and Nina K. Noble, celebrating 20 years of groundbreaking HBO series together; a “Better Call Saul” origin story panel with Vince Gilligan and Bob Odenkirk; “The Americans” panel with Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields, along with cast members Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys; a season two premiere screening and panel of TNT’s “Claws;” a “Nash Bridges” writers room reunion with Carlton Cuse, Glen Mazzara, John Wirth, Shawn Ryan, Jed Seidel, and Pam Veasey; a “thirtysomething” reunion with creators Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz, and cast members Ken Olin, Tim Busfield, Patricia Wettig, Peter Horton, Melanie Mayron, and David Clennon; a panel with the creative team behind Netflix’s “American Vandal;” screenings and Q&As of OWN’s original series Queen Sugar and Love Is __; a “Futurama” table read and Q&A; a screening and Q&A of Paramount Network’s upcoming new series “American Woman” with cast members Alicia Silverstone, Mena Suvari, Jennifer Bartels, and co-executive producer Kyle Richards; a season two finale screening of IFC’s “Brockmire;”a season two premiere screening and panel for EPIX’s “Get Shorty,” a Freeform panel on the “Evolution of Millennial Programming,” and the season two premiere screening of “The Bold Type,” a panel with Comedy Central’s “Drunk History,” screening and Q&A of AT&T Audience Network’s new spy thriller “Condor;” a screening of the independent pilot “Everyone is Doing Great;” a season two screening of the original Seeso comedy “Take My Wife,” with first-time panelists Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher, a world premiere sneak peek clip of FX’s “Mayans MC” and panel with co-creators Kurt Sutter and Elgin James, executive producer/director Norberto Barba, and cast member; back-to- back panels with HBO’s acclaimed comedies “High Maintenance” and “Crashing,” featuring “High Maintenance” co-creator Katja Blichfeld, co-creator/star Ben Sinclair, and EP Russell Gregory and “Crashing” creator and star Pete Holmes; a “TGIHulu!” panel with Ben Savage, Michael Jacobs, Bronson Pinchot, William Bickley, Kellie Shangyne Williams, and Nell Scovell; a panel for SYFY and IDW Entertainment’s “Wynonna Earp,” featuring creator/showrunner Emily Andras and stars Melanie Scrofano, Tim Rozon, and Katherine Barrell; and a conversation with Marcy Carsey (“Roseanne,” “The Cosby Show”), who will receive this year’s ATX Award in Television Excellence.

About ATX Television Festival
ATX’s focus is the celebration of the television medium – looking back at its history, where it is now, and where it is headed. Our weekend consists of events in which attendees can interact with actors, writers, directors, creators, showrunners, music supervisors, casting directors and studio executives involved in all stages of bringing their favorite shows to the small screen. We have all the functionality of a traditional film festival – spotlighting classic shows, never-aired pilots, cancelled too soon series, cult favorites, current hits and premieres of new series. In addition, we feature episode screenings with Q&A’s with the cast and creators, panels focused on industry related topics, and parties, live music, meet-ups, social media events and “super-secret happy hours.” ATX’s goal is to serve both the community and industry professionals equally, by giving them the opportunity to discuss and celebrate all aspects of TV.

ATX TELEVISION FESTIVAL FURTHER EXPANDS ITS SEASON 7 PROGRAMMING SLATEWITH ADDITIONAL PANELS, SCREENINGS AND PANELISTS, TAKING PLACE JUNE 7-10, 2018, IN AUSTIN, TX

Highlights Include a “Felicity” Reunion, A Panel and Exclusive Sneak Peek Clip From FX’s New Series “Mayans MC,” A “TGIHulu!” Panel, An HBO Comedy Block A Panel and Exclusive Clip From Season Three of SYFY’s “Wynonna Earp” And This Year’s ATX Award for Television Excellence Recipient, Marcy Carsey

ATX Television Festival announces additional panels and programming for year seven of the
festival, which will take place June 7-10, 2018, in Austin, Texas.

This year’s festival will feature a reunion of “Felicity,” co-presented by Entertainment Weekly
and Hulu, celebrating 20 years since the series premiere. Cast members Keri Russell, Scott
Speedman, Tangi Miller, Amanda Foreman, Amy Jo Johnson, and Ian Gomez are confirmed to
participate, along with director/producer Lawrence Trilling. Additional panelists to be
announced at a later date.

ATX will host the world premiere sneak peek of an exclusive clip from FX’s highly anticipated
“Mayans MC” on Friday, June 8 th , with co-creators Kurt Sutter and Elgin James, executive
producer/director Norberto Barba, and cast members of the upcoming drama series, who will
kick off the festivities at the Republic of Texas Motorcycle Rally in downtown Austin. This not-to-
be-missed event will culminate in the screening of an exclusive “Mayans MC” clip and Q&A
panel for ATX attendees and VIP guests of the rally at the historic Paramount Theatre that
evening.

This year’s festival will also feature a look at HBO’s acclaimed comedies “High Maintenance” and
“Crashing,” with conversations featuring “High Maintenance” co-creator Katja Blichfeld, co-
creator/star Ben Sinclair, and executive producer Russell Gregory, as well as “Crashing” creator
and star Pete Holmes. Both series have been renewed for a third season, and have recently
wrapped their second seasons, which are currently available to stream now on HBOGo and
HBONow.

Hulu will present a special “TGIHulu!” panel celebrating their library programming from the
iconic ‘90s “TGIF” comedy block. The panel will feature creatives and cast from fan-favorite
series, including Ben Savage (“Boy Meets World”), Michael Jacobs (“Boy Meets World”),
Bronson Pinchot (“Perfect Strangers”), William Bickley (“Family Matters,” “Step By Step”), Kellie
Shangyne Williams (“Family Matters”), and Nell Scovell (“Sabrina the Teenage Witch”), who will
discuss what it was like to be at the center of a pop-culture phenomenon, the enduring
popularity of the “TGIF” brand, and what it means to have an entirely new generation of viewers
tuning in more than 20 years later.

SYFY and IDW Entertainment will present a “Wynonna Earp” panel, featuring
creator/showrunner Emily Andras and stars Melanie Scrofano, Tim Rozon, and Katherine
Barrell. Andras and cast will reveal a first look at the cult hit’s third season which returns this
summer, followed by a discussion of how the series has impacted the genre with its portrayal of
powerful leading heroines, championed the importance of fandom and positive LBGTQ
representation, and assembled one of TV’s most compelling band of misfits.

Marcy Carsey will receive this year’s ATX Award in Television Excellence, joining past honorees
Henry Winkler, James L. Brooks, and Norman Lear. Carsey who is co-founder of the
independent production company The Carsey-Werner Company, along with fellow producer
Tom Werner, and has executive produced iconic comedies for more than 35 years, including
“Roseanne,” “The Cosby Show,” “A Different World,” “Third Rock from the Sun,” and “That 70’s
Show,” will take part in a conversation spanning her career.

For the latest developments and information on how to attend, visit the ATX Television Festival
official site www.atxfestival.com and follow us on Facebook & Twitter.
For co-promotion, please link to @ATXFestival #ATXTVs7 on Twitter.

These panels join the previously announced Opening Night screening of HBO’s upcoming limited
series “Sharp Objects;” a conversation with Robert and Michelle King; a “Storytelling with
Tenacity” panel presented by Showtime with Frankie Shaw, Sarah Treem, and Emmy Rossum; a
conversation with Blown Deadline producing partners David Simon and Nina K. Noble,
celebrating 20 years of groundbreaking HBO series together; a “Better Call Saul” origin story
panel with Vince Gilligan and Bob Odenkirk; “The Americans” panel with Joe Weisberg and Joel
Fields, along with cast members Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys; a season two premiere
screening and panel of TNT’s “Claws;” a “Nash Bridges” writers room reunion with Carlton Cuse,
Glen Mazzara, John Wirth, Shawn Ryan, Jed Seidel, and Pam Veasey; a “thirtysomething”
reunion with creators Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz, and cast members Ken Olin, Tim
Busfield, Patricia Wettig, Peter Horton, Melanie Mayron, and David Clennon; a panel with the
creative team behind Netflix’s “American Vandal;” screenings and Q&A’s of OWN’s original
series “Queen Sugar” and “Love Is __;” a “Futurama” table read and Q&A; a screening and Q&A
of Paramount Network’s upcoming new series “American Woman” with cast members Alicia
Silverstone, Mena Suvari, Jennifer Bartels, and co-executive producer Kyle Richards; a season
two finale screening of IFC’s “Brockmire;”a season two premiere screening and panel for EPIX’s
“Get Shorty,” a Freeform panel on the “Evolution of Millennial Programming,” and the season
two premiere screening of “The Bold Type;” a panel with Comedy Central’s “Drunk History,” a
screening and Q&A of AT&T Audience Network’s new spy thriller “Condor;” a screening of the
independent pilot “Everyone is Doing Great;” and a season two screening of the original Seeso
comedy “Take My Wife,” with first-time panelists Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher.

About ATX Television Festival
ATX’s focus is the celebration of the television medium – looking back at its history, where it is
now, and where it is headed. Our weekend consists of events in which attendees can interact
with actors, writers, directors, creators, showrunners, music supervisors, casting directors and
studio executives involved in all stages of bringing their favorite shows to the small screen. We
have all the functionality of a traditional film festival – spotlighting classic shows, never-aired
pilots, cancelled too soon series, cult favorites, current hits and premieres of new series. In
addition, we feature episode screenings with Q&A’s with the cast and creators, panels focused
on industry related topics, and parties, live music, meet-ups, social media events and “super-
secret happy hours.” ATX’s goal is to serve both the community and industry professionals
equally, by giving them the opportunity to discuss and celebrate all aspects of TV.

ATX TELEVISION FESTIVAL FURTHER EXPANDS ITS SEASON 7 PROGRAMMING SLATE WITH ADDITIONAL PANELS, SCREENINGS AND PANELISTS, TAKING PLACE JUNE 7-10, 2018, IN AUSTIN, TX

Highlights Include Nexflix’s “American Vandal,” And Season Two Premiere Screenings of EPIX’s “Get Shorty” and TNT’s “Claws”

ATX Television Festival announces additional panels and programming for year seven of the festival, which will take place June 7-10, 2018, in Austin, Texas.

This year’s festival will also include a panel conversation with the creative team behind Netflix’s original, “American Vandal,” featuring co-creator/EP Dan Perrault, co-creator/EP/director Tony Yacenda, showrunner/EP Dan Lagana, and Funny or Die’s VP of Longform Content/EP, Joe Farrell. The panel, titled “American Vandal: Orchestrating the Perfect (Un)True Crime,” will feature an in-depth look at the series from pitch, to development, to surprise hit, as well as a discussion of the “true crime” influences and elements that shaped the series’ satirical take on the genre.

EPIX will host a screening of the season two premiere of their series “Get Shorty,” followed by a panel with creator Davey Holmes, producing director Adam Arkin, and cast members Chris O’Dowd and Lidia Porto.

ATX will also feature a sneak peek at the season two premiere of TNT’s dramedy “Claws,” followed by a discussion with series creator/EP Eliot Laurence, showrunner/EP Janine Sherman Barrois, and stars Niecy Nash, Carrie Preston, Judy Reyes, and Dean Norris.

In addition, previously announced first-time panelists Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher will screen an episode from season two of their Seeso original comedy, “Take My Wife,” followed by a Q&A discussion with the two creators/stars. Seasons 1 and 2 of “Take My Wife” are now available for purchase on iTunes.

For the latest developments and information on how to attend, visit the ATX Television Festival official site www.atxfestival.com and follow us on Facebook & Twitter.

For co-promotion, please link to @ATXFestival #ATXTVs7 on Twitter.

These panels join the previously announced Opening Night screening of HBO’s upcoming limited series “Sharp Objects;” a conversation with Robert and Michelle King; a “Storytelling with Tenacity” panel presented by Showtime with Frankie Shaw, Sarah Treem, and Emmy Rossum; a conversation with Blown Deadline producing partners David Simon and Nina K. Noble, celebrating 20 years of groundbreaking HBO series together; a “Better Call Saul” origin story panel with Vince Gilligan and Bob Odenkirk; a “Nash Bridges” writers room reunion with Carlton Cuse, Glen Mazzara, John Wirth, Shawn Ryan, Pam Veasey, and Jed Seidel; a “thirtysomething” reunion with creators Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz, and cast members Ken Olin, Tim Busfield, Patricia Wettig, Peter Horton, Melanie Mayron, and David Clennon; screenings and Q&A’s of OWN’s original series “Queen Sugar” and “Love Is __;” a screening and Q&A of Paramount Network’s upcoming new series “American Woman” with cast members Alicia Silverstone, Mena Suvari, Jennifer Bartels, and co-executive producer Kyle Richards; a season two finale screening of IFC’s “Brockmire;” a Freeform panel on the “Evolution of Millennial Programming,” and the season two premiere screening of “The Bold Type;” a panel with Comedy Central’s “Drunk History,” a screening and Q&A of AT&T Audience Network’s new spy thriller “Condor;” a screening of the independent pilot “Everyone is Doing Great;” and a season two screening of the original Seeso comedy “Take My Wife,” with first-time panelists Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher.

About ATX Television Festival
ATX’s focus is the celebration of the television medium – looking back at its history, where it is now, and where it is headed. Our weekend consists of events in which attendees can interact with actors, writers, directors, creators, showrunners, music supervisors, casting directors and studio executives involved in all stages of bringing their favorite shows to the small screen. We have all the functionality of a traditional film festival – spotlighting classic shows, never-aired pilots, cancelled too soon series, cult favorites, current hits and premieres of new series. In addition, we feature episode screenings with Q&A’s with the cast and creators, panels focused on industry related topics, and parties, live music, meet-ups, social media events and “super-secret happy hours.” ATX’s goal is to serve both the community and industry professionals equally, by giving them the opportunity to discuss and celebrate all aspects of TV.

ATX TELEVISION FESTIVAL EXPANDS ITS SEASON 7 PROGRAMMING SLATE WITH ADDITIONAL PANELS, SCREENINGS AND PANELISTS, TAKING PLACE JUNE 7-10, 2018, IN AUSTIN, TX

Highlights Include a Conversation with Robert and Michelle King, A “Storytelling with Tenacity” Panel Presented by Showtime,And Screening of the Season Two Finale of IFC’s “Brockmire,” Among Others

ATX Television Festival announces additional panels and programming for year seven of the festival, which will take place June 7-10, 2018, in Austin, Texas.

This year’s festival will feature an in-depth conversation with first-time panelists Robert and Michelle King, creators/showrunners of CBS’ “The Good Wife” and “BrainDead,” and the CBS All Access original series “The Good Fight,” which premiered its second season on Sunday, March 4th, as they discuss their creative partnership and collaboration on all three of their series. The pair will also participate in additional panel conversations throughout the festival, which will be announced at a later date.

Showtime will present a panel titled “Storytelling with Tenacity,” featuring powerhouse women both in front of and behind the camera, with Frankie Shaw, creator, director, executive producer and star of “SMILF,” which received multiple Golden Globe® nominations and was recently renewed for a second season; Sarah Treem, creator and executive producer of the Golden Globe award-winning drama “The Affair,” which returns for a fourth season on June 17th; and Emmy Rossum, who has directed and stars in the long-running, critically-acclaimed comedy series “Shameless,” which will go into production on its ninth season later this year. These creative forces will discuss a variety of topics, including taking on multiple roles on their respective series, and the ways in which they are working to move the industry forward.

IFC will screen the season two finale of their original comedy “Brockmire,” based on the character created by star/executive producer Hank Azaria, followed by a Q&A with Azaria, writer/executive producer Joel Church-Cooper, and cast member Tyrel Jackson
Williams.

The previously announced screening for OWN’s hit series “Queen Sugar” will include a Q&A with executive producer/showrunner Kat Candler, and cast members Rutina Wesley, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, and Kofi Siriboe. A screening of the network’s upcoming hour-long dramedy “Love Is___” will also be followed by a discussion with creators/executive producers Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil, and stars Will Catlett and Michele Weaver.

These panels join the previously announced Opening Night screening of HBO’s upcoming limited series “Sharp Objects;” a conversation with Blown Deadline producing partners David Simon and Nina K. Noble, celebrating 20 years of groundbreaking HBO series together; a “Nash Bridges” writers room reunion with Carlton Cuse, Glen Mazzara, John Wirth, Shawn Ryan, and Pam Veasey; a “thirtysomething” reunion with creators Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz, and cast members Ken Olin, Tim Busfield, Patricia Wettig, Peter Horton, Melanie Mayron, and David Clennon; screenings and Q&A’s of OWN’s original series “Queen Sugar” and “Love Is __;” a screening and Q&A of Paramount Network’s upcoming new series “American Woman” with cast members Alicia Silverstone, Mena Suvari, Jennifer Bartels, and co-executive producer Kyle Richards; a Freeform panel on the “Evolution of Millennial Programming,” and the season two premiere screening of “The Bold Type;” a panel with Comedy Central’s “Drunk History,” a screening and Q&A of AT&T Audience Network’s new spy thriller “Condor;” a screening of the independent pilot “Everyone is Doing Great;” and first-time panelists Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher from the original Seeso comedy “Take My Wife.

About ATX Television Festival

ATX’s focus is the celebration of the television medium – looking back at its history, where it is now, and where it is headed. Our weekend consists of events in which attendees can interact with actors, writers, directors, creators, showrunners, music supervisors, casting directors and studio executives involved in all stages of bringing their favorite shows to the small screen. We have all the functionality of a traditional film festival – spotlighting classic shows, never-aired pilots, cancelled too soon series, cult favorites, current hits and premieres of new series. In addition, we feature episode screenings with Q&A’s with the cast and creators, panels focused on industry related topics, and parties, live music, meet-ups, social media events and “super-secret happy hours.” ATX’s goal is to serve both the community and industry professionals equally, by giving them the opportunity to discuss and celebrate all aspects of TV.

ATX Television Festival announces panels and programming for year seven of the festival, which will take place June 7-10, 2018, in Austin, Texas.

This year’s festival will feature a conversation with Blown Deadline producing partners David Simon and Nina K. Noble, celebrating 20 years of groundbreaking HBO series together, including “The Wire,” “The Deuce,” “Treme,” “Generation Kill,” “Show Me a Hero,” and “The Corner.” Simon and Noble will be joined by veteran cast member Clarke Peters to discuss their decades-long partnership, having produced some of TV’s most iconic dramas and characters, along with additional creatives and cast who have crossed over between multiple Blown Deadline Productions’ series over the years.

OWN will hold two screenings and Q&As featuring their original series “Queen Sugar,” from creator/executive producer Ava DuVernay, which returns for a third season this summer; and new hour-long dramedy “Love Is ___,” from creators/executive producers Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil, which will also debut this summer. Cast and producers for both panels will be announced at a later date.

Paramount Network will hold a screening and Q&A of their upcoming new series “American Woman” from executive producer John Wells, with cast members Alicia Silverstone, Mena Suvari, Jennifer Bartels, and co-executive producer Kyle Richards.

Freeform will host a panel on the “Evolution of Millennial Programming,” featuring a conversation with programming executives and show creators about the network’s push to bridge the generational gap between Millennial and Generation Z viewers through an inclusive, powerful, and smart slate of current and upcoming series, like “The Bold Type,” “grown-ish,” “The Fosters,” “Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger,” and more.

In addition, Freeform will also present a season two premiere screening and Q&A for “The Bold Type,” with attending cast and producers to be announced at a later date.

Comedy Central’s hit series “Drunk History” will return to ATX with an interactive panel featuring creator and host Derek Waters, special guests from the show (to be announced at a later date), and an early look at the remainder of the series’ fifth season.

AT&T AUDIENCE Network will hold a screening and Q&A of their new spy thriller series “Condor,” which is based on the novel “Six Days of the Condor” by James Grady, and screenplay “Three Days of the Condor” by Lorenzo Semple Jr. and David Rayfiel. The series will follow a young CIA analyst (Max Irons), who stumbles onto a terrible but brilliant plan that threatens the lives of millions. Participating cast and producers will be announced at a later date.

ATX will also feature a screening of the independent pilot “Everyone is Doing Great,” followed by a Q&A with writer/director/actor James Lafferty and writer/actor Stephen Colletti, who will discuss their decision to take a non-traditional approach to producing and shopping the series. The pilot is a half-hour comedy, from executive producers Ian & Eshom Nelms, Michelle Lang, and Johnny Derango, which follows struggling actors Seth (Colletti) and Jeremy (Lafferty), who enjoyed relative success from ‘Eternal,’ a hit television vampire drama, and five years later are trying to reclaim their previous level of success and relevance, while awkwardly navigating the perils of life and love amidst a humorously painful coming of age.

First time panelists and writers/actors/comedians Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher, of the original comedy “Take My Wife” on Seeso, will also join the festival for panel discussions and programming.

ATX’s focus is the celebration of the television medium – looking back at its history, where it is now, and where it is headed. Our weekend consists of events in which attendees can interact with actors, writers, directors, creators, showrunners, music supervisors, casting directors and studio executives involved in all stages of bringing their favorite shows to the small screen. We have all the functionality of a traditional film festival – spotlighting classic shows, never-aired pilots, cancelled too soon series, cult favorites, current hits and premieres of new series. In addition, we feature episode screenings with Q&A’s with the cast and creators, panels focused on industry related topics, and parties, live music, meet-ups, social media events and “super-secret happy hours.” ATX’s goal is to serve both the community and industry professionals equally, by giving them the opportunity to discuss and celebrate all aspects of TV.

Details Announced for the Annual Pitch Competition and The Black List Television Writing Program

ATX Television Festival announced the first panels and programming for year seven of the festival, which will take place June 7-10, 2018, in Austin, Texas.

The year will feature a “Nash Bridges” Writers Room Reunion, reuniting creator Carlton Cuse with writers Glen Mazzara, John Wirth, Shawn Ryan, and Pam Veasey, as they discuss their time writing together, and the different paths their successful careers have taken.

ATX will host a reunion of “thirtysomething” with creators Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz, and cast members Ken Olin, Tim Busfield, Patricia Wettig, Peter Horton, Melanie Mayron, and David Clennon, many of whom directed episodes of the series when it was on the air, and went on to direct and produce several other series over the years. The reunion will mark just over 30 years since the series premiered.

Director/executive producer Thomas Schlamme (“Snowfall,” “The West Wing”), who also serves as President of the Directors Guild of America, has joined the ATX Advisory Board. Schlamme becomes the second guild president to join ATX’s board, alongside writer/creator Beau Willimon (“The First”), who is currently serving as President of the Writers Guild of America, East.

In addition, ATX will begin accepting submissions for their annual Pitch Competition on November 1, 2017, with submissions closing on January 19, 2018.

The Pitch Competition aims to gives burgeoning writers the opportunity to pitch their ideas for original scripted series directly to ATX’s studio and network partners, in hopes of getting their show produced. Final Draft Inc. returns as a sponsor of this year’s competition, along with partners The Black List and Sundance Episodic Story Labs, who will each advance top writers within their respective programs to the second round of the ATX Pitch Competition.

To participate, writers must submit a ninety-second video pitch of their scripted idea, along with a 10-page script sample. Following three rounds of judging, the top 10 finalists will have the opportunity to pitch live at this year’s festival to a panel of writers, producers, and executives, who will choose a single winner. The winner will have the chance to pitch his or her idea to an ATX studio or network partner; hone their pitch and script with an industry mentor; sit in on a current series writers’ room, and meet with a top television showrunner.

Past participants have gone on to pitch their winning concept to a variety of studios and networks, including Comedy Central, NBC Universal, Hulu, Amazon, Fox Studios, Happy Madison Productions, and Sony TV Pictures, and have even signed with management during the festival. Season 5’s Pitch Competition Winner, Eric Rudnick, is also currently developing his winning pitch for military ‘traumedy’ “Incoming” as a scripted series, with Apostle and FOX 21 attached to produce. More information on The Pitch Competition and how to submit can be found here.

In addition, ATX & The Black List are partnering for a third year on a writing program aimed at identifying television writers for staffing consideration at participating networks, studios, and production companies, which this year include HBO, Bad Robot, Amblin Television, Annapurna Pictures, Carlton Cuse Productions, Okay Goodnight!, and Kilter Films.

To have their scripts considered, writers must host their original pilots on The Black List website for at least one week during the period from October 17, 2017 to January 8, 2018. Based on all data collected about the scripts during their hosting on the site through January 8, The Black List will identify 10-15 of the strongest scripts (both hour-long and half-hour) to be shared with the participating studios, networks, and production companies, with the goal of identifying writers with whom those organizations would like to work on existing projects.

ATX will also present live script readings of two comedy scripts from the top 10-15 selected from the Black List partnership at the festival in June, with ATX panelists serving as cast for the live readings.
More information and FAQs on opting in to this year’s opportunity can be found here.
For the latest developments and information on how to attend, visit the ATX Television Festival official site www.atxfestival.com and follow us on Facebook & Twitter.

For co-promotion, please link to @ATXFestival #ATXTVs7 on Twitter.

About ATX Television Festival
ATX’s focus is the celebration of the television medium – looking back at its history, where it is now, and where it is headed. Our weekend consists of events in which attendees can interact with actors, writers, directors, creators, showrunners, music supervisors, casting directors and studio executives involved in all stages of bringing their favorite shows to the small screen. We have all the functionality of a traditional film festival – spotlighting classic shows, never-aired pilots, cancelled too soon series, cult favorites, current hits and premieres of new series. In addition, we feature episode screenings with Q&A’s with the cast and creators, panels focused on industry related topics, and parties, live music, meet-ups, social media events and “super-secret happy hours.” ATX’s goal is to serve both the community and industry professionals equally, by giving them the opportunity to discuss and celebrate all aspects of TV.

ATX TELEVISION FESTIVAL AND TIME INC.’S ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY ANNOUNCETHE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED HIT SERIES “BATTLESTAR GALACTICA”AS THE CLOSING NIGHT REUNION AT THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL,TAKING PLACE JUNE 10, 2017, IN AUSTIN, TX

April 19, 2017 — New York, NY — TIME INC.’S (NYSE: TIME) Entertainment Weekly (EW) and the ATX Television Festival announce a special reunion of the critically acclaimed, Emmy nominated and Peabody Award-winning series “Battlestar Galactica,” which will be sponsored by EW, and take place on the festival’s Closing Night this year, Saturday, June 10, in Austin, TX. The reunion will feature creator/executive producer Ronald D. Moore (“Outlander”), along with cast members Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, Katee Sackhoff, Grace Park, Michael Hogan, and Michael Trucco.

This year’s reunion is part of a multi-year partnership between Entertainment Weekly and ATX, which kicked off last year with the “Ugly Betty” reunion presented by EW on Closing Night. EW will again host “After Dark” happy hours celebrating select casts who will be attending ATX, along with hosting and moderating panels throughout the weekend with casts and creators. EW has coverage planned across the brand’s multiple platforms – reaching an audience of nearly 28 million passionate and engaged fans – including inside the magazine, stories and videos on EW.com and on EW Radio (channel 105 SiriusXM).

ATX returns for a sixth year June 8-11, 2017, in Austin, Texas.

For the latest developments and information on how to attend, visit the ATX Television Festival official site www.atxfestival.com and follow us on Facebook & Twitter.

For co-promotion, please link to @ATXFestival #ATXTVs6 on Twitter.

ABOUT ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Entertainment Weekly is your all-access pass to Hollywood’s most creative minds and most fascinating stars. The magazine was launched by Time Inc. in 1990 and is America’s leading consumer publication in the entertainment category, with a guaranteed circulation rate base of 1.5 million and a combined audience of almost 28 million loyal, engaged fans. Each day, EW.com publishes a myriad of featured stories, blog posts, TV-recaps, original videos, film reviews and photo galleries. In April 2015, the PEOPLE/Entertainment Weekly Network reached #1 in its competitive set with 56.4 million unique visitors and during the same month, EW.com desktop, tablet and mobile growth hit an all-time high of 19.9 million combined unique visitors. Entertainment Weekly is the first to know about the best in entertainment. With sharp insight, unparalleled access and a trusted voice, EW keeps readers plugged into pop culture. This is where the buzz begins.

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About ATX Television Festival
ATX’s focus is the celebration of the television medium – looking back at its history, where it is now, and where it is headed. Our weekend consists of events in which attendees can interact with actors, writers, directors, creators, showrunners, music supervisors, casting directors and studio executives involved in all stages of bringing their favorite shows to the small screen. We have all the functionality of a traditional film festival – spotlighting classic shows, never-aired pilots, cancelled too soon series, cult favorites, current hits and premieres of new series. In addition, we feature episode screenings with Q&A’s with the cast and creators, panels focused on industry related topics, and parties, live music, meet-ups, social media events and “super secret happy hours.” ATX’s goal is to serve both the community and industry professionals equally, by giving them the opportunity to discuss and celebrate all aspects of TV.

ATX TELEVISION FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES A SPECIAL LATE NIGHT SCREENING & PANEL OFWILL FERRELL AND KRISTEN WIIG’S ULTIMATE LIFETIME MOVIE,“A DEADLY ADOPTION,” TAKING PLACE THE FIRST NIGHT OF THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL

April 1, 2017 — Austin, TX — ATX Television Festival announces a special one-time only late night screening of the Lifetime movie “A Deadly Adoption,” starring Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig, which will take place the first night of the festival, on Thursday, June 8, in Austin, TX. A panel will follow with creators Will Ferrell (EP), Andrew Steele (EP/Writer), and Jessica Elbaum (EP).

The film, which Rolling Stone Magazine called “a glorious love letter” to the genre, and the New York Times confusingly admitted, “was either a brilliant example of deadpan humor or a mediocre Lifetime Movie,” aired on Lifetime for one week in 2015, and is no longer available (legally) on any platform. This marks the second time only it will be shown on a big screen format without commercials.

ATX returns for a sixth year June 8-11, 2017, in Austin, Texas.

For the latest developments and information on how to attend, visit the ATX Television Festival official site www.atxfestival.com and follow us on Facebook & Twitter.

For co-promotion, please link to @ATXFestival #ATXTVs6 on Twitter.

About ATX Television Festival
ATX’s focus is the celebration of the television medium – looking back at its history, where it is now, and where it is headed. Our weekend consists of events in which attendees can interact with actors, writers, directors, creators, showrunners, music supervisors, casting directors and studio executives involved in all stages of bringing their favorite shows to the small screen. We have all the functionality of a traditional film festival – spotlighting classic shows, never-aired pilots, cancelled too soon series, cult favorites, current hits and premieres of new series. In addition, we feature episode screenings with Q&A’s with the cast and creators, panels focused on industry related topics, and parties, live music, meet-ups, social media events and “super secret happy hours.” ATX’s goal is to serve both the community and industry professionals equally, by giving them the opportunity to discuss and celebrate all aspects of TV.